COVID pandemic has changed many things the world over and so in India. Due to spread of pandemic, two year ago trading hours in Indian stock markets were truncated. On 7th April 2020, the markets were directed to start operation from 10 AM instead of 9 AM. However, the trading hours historically in Indian stock markets are between 9 AM to 3.30 PM.
Now that India have vaccinated most of its population and the effect of pandemic has almost gone, life has started to come back to normal. Offices are open, businesses have started picking up, people have started travelling domestic as well as international and almost everything is coming back to normal. Hence, RBI during its bi-monthly monetary policy announcement announced that RBI regulated stock markets (at NSE & BSE) will start functioning as per their original trading hours which is from 9 AM to 3.30 PM.
As per this directive, the below securities will be available for trading during new timing of 9 AM-3.30 PM:
- All Government Securities (Central Government & State Government Securities, Treasury Bills).
- All Commercial paper, Certificates of Deposit (CDs), Corporate Bonds.
- Call money & Term money.
- Tri-party repo in Government Securities.
- Repo in Corporate Bonds.
- Foreign Currency (FCY)/Indian Rupee (INR) Trades including Forex Derivatives.
- Market repo in Government Securities (available only between 9 A.M -2.30 P.M).
Everyone trading/investing in these securities will get a relief due to this extended trading hours.
